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Stanford Pines couldn’t stop staring at himself. He made it a habit not to spend too much time around mirrors. Even after Weirdmageddon. As a result, he was almost taken back by how different he looked now. He was certainly older. More wrinkles and grey hair. But now his face didn’t look nearly as sunken or haunted. He seemed calmer. And more content.
Though right now, he looked a little more worried than usual.
“Stanford, hun! You almost ready?” A friendly voice crowed, pulling Stanford from his thoughts.
“Sure thing, Fidds!” Stanford called out. “I’ll be out in a couple minutes.”
Right. He was procrastinating.
His morning routine that normally only took a few minutes was fast approaching a half-hour.
He couldn’t help it though. He was nervous!
He knew he was being ridiculous. He and his family had been through so much, they wouldn’t desert him over something as trivial as this. He knew that down to his core.
And yet there was still a lingering fear that made him pause. Almost like a muscle memory he’d rather forget…
Trying to shrug off those bad feelings, Stanford tried to finish combing his hair.
He couldn’t hide in here forever.
When he finally emerged from the bathroom, Fiddleford looked relieved.
“You alright?” He asked. Reading the emotions on Ford’s face with perfect ease.
Ford sighed and nodded. “I’ll be ok.”
“You sure?” Fiddleford didn’t look fully convinced. “If you don’t wanna do it now we can try another time. There’s no time limit on this sort of thing.”
Ford shook his head. Fiddleford was right. They were both grown men, they could take things at any pace they wished.
But there was more to it then that.
He and Fidds had planned this. They made sure everyone in their family. Stanley, Tate, Dipper and Mabel, Soos, everyone they cared about was together under one roof. That way they could announce their relationship to everyone at once.
Not only that, but it was June as well. And though Ford hadn’t told anyone this, he’d quietly been hoping he’d build the courage to come out before Gravity Falls little local pride parade at the end of the month.
It was now or never.
“Well, there’s no time like the present.” Ford finally said.
“You sure you’re ready?”
Ford nodded. “Ready when you are.”
Taking each other's hands, Stanford Pines and Fiddleford McGucket made their way to the stairs to meet their family for breakfast.
A few weeks later Stanford found himself once again in front of that same bathroom mirror.
Only this time he was nervous for an entirely different reason.
After rapping on the door, Fiddleford poked his head in.
“You almost ready hun?” Fiddleford teased. “The kids are talking about leaving us behind!”
“I certainly hope not!” Taking one last look to admire his new sweater. Stanford pulled on his usual coat and followed his boyfriend and best friend back to the stairs.
For his first pride, Stanford was still dressing modestly, going for his usual look of a sweater and coat.
However, today he’d traded in his usual sweater for a beautiful rainbow pattern, lovingly stitched by Mabel as a coming-out gift.
That and he had some face-paint done, adorning his cheeks with rainbow stars, painted by both his favorite niece and favorite nephew.
Meanwhile Fiddleford was dressed in a rainbow of color, head to toe. Rainbow overall, rainbow shoes. He’d even added a few temporary dies to his beard and hair.
“My Momma always said ‘Walk with Pride!’. If she only knew the half of it!” Fiddleford chucked, before offering his hand to Stanford. “You nervous?”
Reaching out, Stanford held Fiddleford’s hands in his own. “A little. Nothing we can’t face together!”
“Should be a fun day! We better hurry so we don’t miss it!”
With that, Fiddleford raced towards the stairs, tugging Stanford with him along the way.
He was right, today should be a fun day! He’d loved Gravity Falls for a long time, and now knowing he could safely be out and proud, Gravity Falls really felt like home. Especially with his whole family, and the love of his life at his side!
Ford smiled. “Lead the way, Buddy!”